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Booted Bush Agent Demands Apology

Booted Bush Agent Demands Apology

By ABCNEWS.com

Booted Bush Agent Demands Apology

The Arab-American Secret Service agent assigned to President Bush who says he was kicked off an American Airlines flight because of racial profiling demanded an apology from the airline today.

Attorneys for the agent, who remains unidentified, said he was scheduled to fly on a flight from Baltimore to Texas on Christmas Day to take up duties at the president's ranch in Crawford.

American Airlines officials have said the agent was removed at the pilot's request because of "inconsistencies" in the paperwork he filed that is required of all federal agents flying on commercial airlines. Religion and ethnicity, they said, had nothing to do with his removal.

Attorneys for the agent today said he was a victim of discrimination. He still seeks an amicable resolution of the incident with American Airlines, but he wants airline officials to review their practices so no one else is victimized, they said.

"The only reason why he wasn't allowed on that plane was because, we believe and he believes, he is an American of Arab descent," said John Relman, one of the agent's attorneys. "Pure and simple, this is a case of discrimination. We are not here — our agent is not out to take any kind of punitive measure against anyone. … His goal is to resolve this with American Airlines. We would like to see this worked out, but again, our hand was forced because information has come out that is inaccurate, and we want that information that is accurate to come out."

American Airlines: Accusations Are ‘Frivolous’

The agent was not at today's press conference because his attorneys said he was on a security detail and not available for comment in person. However, his attorneys read a statement in which he said he did not have a vendetta against American Airlines.

"It has never been my desire to make this incident personal," the statement said. "This case is only about the facts. I love my job, and I want to thank my fellow agents for all their support. God bless America."

In a statement, American Airlines called the agent's claims "frivolous" and supported the pilot's actions, saying they were based on concerns for the security and safety of the passengers and crew.

"American carries out its security obligations according to the guidelines provided by the federal government," it said. "Those guidelines are applied equally among all passengers, and the company vigorously resents any suggestion of racial discrimination."

The pilot also released a statement where he said he was unconvinced of the validity of the agent's credentials and claimed the agent was "confrontational" and "abusive." American Airlines said the pilot had filed a letter of complaint against the agent with the Secret Service, which is investigating the incident.

The agent has not ruled out filing a lawsuit against American Airlines.

"No decision has been made about filing any kind of lawsuit," Relman said. "All options are open, but that is not what we are here about today."

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